[jplpagan]

I wouldn't have a problem with that, my PowerBook still only has a 80G HD. But I am curious: isn't there any way to access the file on your TimeCapsule via the internet?

[whitedog]

Clearly, the MacBook Air is not for everyone. It's main mission seems to be to add a lightweight portable "traveler" to the MacBook lineup. As a home or office computer it is rather limited. But for students to use in a crowded dorm room and stuff into a backpack, for a business traveler to slip into a briefcase, I'm sure it has real appeal.
However, the scope of the housekeeping Jason did to get his "main" system scaled down for the Air, in my opinion, would be beyond the competence of the "average" user. As he suggested, it's more for the technically inclined - people who know how to use an external iTunes or iPhoto library, something neither program makes easy.
No doubt the project was useful housecleaning for his existing system, something we all need to do from time to time, especially those living on a laptop computer.
But if I were to get a MacBook Air I think I would take a different approach (especially as I now work with a Mac Pro with oodles of storage). I would install the programs I use regularly on the Air and copy only the files that I need for whatever work I would be doing with it. Yes, it would be a secondary machine; it wouldn't - and couldn't - be my "everything" computer.
I think, though, Jason is being overly optimistic about using the Air with its hard drive over 90% full. That's far from an optimum operating environment for OS X, let alone for software like Photoshop - or even iPhoto. It leaves virtually no room for growth or expansion absent an external drive.
Which brings up the point that there are some excellent external hard drives available now with high capacity (easily exceeding Jason's old 120 GB "lifeboat") and a small, lightweight and portable form factor. Iomega had some cute ones on show at Macworld with a choice of case colors, shaped like a hip flask. The OtherWorld Computing Mercury On-The-Go has a 320 GB version. I think, for the Air, a portable external hard drive will prove even more necessary than an external DVD.

[mw1311]

I agree. Although we (my wife and me) haven't made the switch to Macs yet, we will once we get our income tax refund $$$. Can't wait actually :)
When we'll make the switch we will get an iMac which will serve as base station, an 1 TB Time Capsule, an MacBook Pro for me & since my wife wants a laptop that is "little and cute" and all she does is word, excel, internet, email, the occassional presentation and a few songs and pictures...the MacBook Air fits her bill perfectly!
I really don't belief that the mac air is supposed to replace your regular computer and if you hord lots of music, pics and videos + tons of other files the macair is simply not for you.
I think what every smart computer buyer does before he / she spends the money is evaluate what the computer is used for and then find a computer that is capable of performing these tasks.
Sure, I wish the macair had a bigger hard drive, more usb ports, a built in dvd burner, faster processor options and better graphics built in but it simply doesn't - if it doesn't fit your needs buy something else that does.

[edmetric]

JS, I think you are on the right track. Files may exist anywhere on the internet, not just on your computer.

I don't buy into the idea that the Air is a weak sister to a big brother Mac - an Air Pair if you will. The big brother Mac can do all the less demanding tasks wirelessly too but with a couple more pounds of weight. As I rethink my approach to Mac life, I see hardware (particularly storage), software (tasks) and a style of work as differences for the Air.

Obviously, an 80GB drive is not the proper storage for everything we would want to save. From a hardware perspective, storage can be anywhere. The one terabyte Time Capsule is a good start. Wirelessly accessible off site storage like .Mac and unlimited email accounts are other choices.

Some software tasks like burning a playlist to share music is also hardware necessary unless a wireless solution can be found. No CD/DVD style sharing is needed if everyone downloads music wirelessly of course.

Given the Air's capabilities and given my own way of working on a Mac, I'm trying to see how, when and where I can work using the Air.

A student should have an easy time with the Air. Go to class (or not). Download the class notes for the day. Surf the internet for more info on persons, places and dates along with issues to supplement the class notes. Paste in comparisons and contrasts for future test answers (along with bookmarks for citing). Upload it all as a draft to a special unlimited email account. Go have a coffee with buds to discuss the class and add that to your daily notes with an update to the email account. When you get home, upload the notes to Time Capsule and delete them from the computer. Your work is backed up off site at an unlimited email account, backed up in TC and wirelessly accessible. At the end of term, string all the notes together and upload your term essay to the TA. Apple should sell a ton of Air to students.

Business users however may not want contracts, billing and work samples on the internet for privacy and security reasons.

[edmetric]

More on software austerity:

Software is like a box that contains the user tasks. Editing images depends on the software. Some software does more. Some software does less. Big software can do the little things but small software cannot do the big things. However, big apps take up CPU cycles.

The trick is to have big software on a small drive like the Air. Web apps help of course by putting the software anywhere on the internet instead of the Air. The I/O of wireless uses up CPU cycles.

Some software is exclusive though. There is no comparable web app. Files would have to be changed into web app compatible files. That uses up CPU cycles.

Some software is helped by hardware awareness. Big graphics are helped by having a separate graphics chip/card. Large database files are helped by monitor size.

As great as iLife is, it's a big chunk. I've yet to use GarageBand. I don't connect to iTunes unless my 320GB USB drive is connected which is where I keep my files. OSX has to be all languages, all printers, all in all. Cut some out if you use Air.

[nitewing98]

It doesn't sound like you've cut enough items for the Macbook Air to have any swap space. Keep in mind, you need about 10 percent of your drive available for the OS to use as virtual memory swap storage.
Good luck with winnowing down any further. I currently am using about 50gb on my old PM G4 and that's divided between 2 drives.

[elpedro]

This is driving me crazy. Everyone, EVERYONE!, is whining about the same Macbook Air "woes". How hard is it to understand that the Macbook Air is not designed to be a standalone, primary use laptop. Yes, it can be, but it was definitely not designed for this application. In my opinion, 80GB is extremely generous space for an ultra lightweight portable workstation for people that have a dedicated desktop mac at home.
Example #1: If you have an iMac (backed up) at home, then the MacBook Air is perfect for all your portable needs, transfer all the files you need for work or school (will take up much less than 80GB, guaranteed) and leave the house. If anything comes up that you need to create or save while away, you still have plenty of space left on that 80GB HD to save it. When you get home, you transfer what you need to your desktop and continue working, while the Air charges for the next day's excursions.
Example #2: I currently use an old Macbook as my primary, standalone computer. How old? First run old, 60GB Hard Drive. 55.5GB actually usable. I get by very easily, WITHOUT HAVING TO DELETE ANY FILES!, by keeping my iTunes, iPhoto, Aperture, and Garageband libraries on an external hard drive that only connects to my MacBook at home. When I go portable to work and school, I don't need those libraries so I just transfer over any files I may need that day, disconnect and go. This system works flawlessly as I never really use more than 35GB of hard drive space between work and school.
So there you go, two examples of why the MacBook Air is the perfect PORTABLE computer. So enough whining!